Guatemalan officials reported on Friday that they rescued 160 children and 40 women from a farm linked to the extremist, radical Lev Tahor group comprised of people who dress like chareidi Jews, following an investigation into allegations of child abuse. The Attorney General’s Office in Guatemala released a statement on X, detailing the discovery of what are believed to be the remains of one child.
Dimas Jimenez, a public prosecutor, shared in a press briefing that the operation was prompted by suspicions of “mistreatment of minors” and other allegations of inapproriate and dangerous behavior.
He further noted that the minors involved “were allegedly being abused by a member of the Lev Tahor sect” in the aftermath of the raid in Oratorio, located to the southwest of Guatemala City.
The raid involved a large-scale operation with numerous police officers, alongside psychologists and social workers.
Jimenez emphasized the seriousness of the matter, declaring, “Zero tolerance for child abuse!” He also highlighted that the operation had received backing from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Attempts by authorities to inspect the living conditions of the minors had been thwarted earlier, as members of the radical sect had prevented access to the farm.
The Lev Tahor group has accused local authorities of religious persecution in response to the investigation.
Estimates suggest that the community consists of about 50 families from various nations, including Guatemala, the U.S., Canada, Israel, and others. The sect has faced legal issues in multiple countries over the years.

{Matzav.com}